Varn binder for knitting machines



June 10,1941. R L S N A I 21,245,205

YARN BINDER FOR KNITTING MACHINES Fi-led Oct. 3, 1938 8' Sheets-Sheet l 2 I l I ll Q {N j)! UEJCICJCJCJU fA/L zA/nzm Jz/awW/v 654425127,

JPOBEPTHMWJMZ June 10, 1941. R. H. LAWSON ETAL YARN BINDER FOR KNITTING MACHINES 8 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Oct. 5, 1938 June 10, 1941 R. H. LAWSON EIAL YARN BINDER FOR KNITTING MACHINES 8 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed 001;. 3, 1938 June 10, 1941. R. H, LAWSON ETAL YARN BINDER FOR KNITTING MACHINES 8 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed Oct. 5, 1938 I l i I N m m 2@5. V a r m, s 55 m n mm 0 o M W W w 3 ill W4 m w m FH U June 10, 1941. R: LAWSON AL 2,245,205

YARN BINDER FOR KNITTING MACHINES I Q 8 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed Oct. s, 1958 jail M7025? FJBERTZHWXA/L- Az/dz/my4m g B W izrry June 10, 1941.

. R. LAWSON ETAL YARN BINDER FOR KNITTING MACHINES Filed Obt. 3, 1938 8 Sheets-Sheet 6 A 1221170125: maezEarw'a g' jmrzfmzvaamzf June 10, 1941. R. H. .LAWSON EI'A'L YKRN BINDER FOR KNITTING MACHINES 8 Sheets-Sheet 7 Filed Oct. 3 1958 Mamazw JPM ZZ'ZJWYM;

Jwwmv 654422;

June 10, 1941. R. H. LAWSON ETAL 2,245,205

YARN BINDER FOR KNITTING MACHINES Filed Oct. 3, 1938 8 Sheets-Sheet 8 I 8 FY6325. FY6126.

. O ByW TM H "2 03 o I Patented dune 10, 1941 ii HE D STATES PAT ENT 6 FBI C E YARN BINDER. FOR. KNITTING MACHINES Robert H. Lawson, Pawtucket, and Augustin Gagn, Central Falls, R. 1., assignors to HemphillCompany, Central Falls, R. L, a corporation of Massachusetts 8 Claims.

This case concerns a mechanism and method of feeding yarn to needles of a knitting machine and a binder and cutter functioning with the feeding means. means and the binder and cutter are to be em--- ployed with independent needle machines of the circular type wherein a yarn change is to'be made within a course or within courses, and wherein the end of the yarn withdrawn is to be cut short and also the end to be introduced to the needles maintained as short as practicable.

In the figures of drawings:

Fig. l is an elevation showing parts of the frame, clutch and controlling means for the novel'ele-' ments concerned;

Fig. 2 is-an elevation showing parts in Fig. '1 as seen from the right hand side of the machine;

Fig. 3 is an elevation, parts being broken away and the main shaft being shown in sectionwherein certain of the controlling means are illustrated in greater detail;

Fig.4 is an elevation showing the support for the feeding means, binder and cutter, and further detailof the'controlling means for the yarn feeding mechanism;

Fig; 5 is a sectional view showing part of the support, the binder and cutter, and the means for periodically actuating the same;

Fig. 6 is a plan showing a iragment'of the sinkenringfcam means thereon, and the'actuating means for the binder and cutter;

Fig. I is a plan showing part of the needles,

More especially, the feeding sinker ring, supporting bracket and the feeding means and binder and cutter thereon, the feeding means being a position in which it has just' introduced the yarn to the needles.

Fig. 8 is a similar view showing only a fragment of these parts but wherein the yarn has been withdrawn and is held in the binder; I

Fig. 9 is an elevation showing controlling mechanism for the yarn feeding means;

Figs. 10 and 11 show this controlling mechanism in greater detail;

Fig. 12 is a view similar to Fig. 8, but illustrates Fig. 15 a section showing needles passing the mouthpiece and the relative position of-theyarn substantially the same needle.

feeding finger and the binder and cutter with respect to those passing needles;

' Figs. 16 is a section taken longitudinally through the binder and cutter;

Fig.1?- is a. view showing the binder and cutter in elevation, the support being shown in section; and

Figs. 18 through 26 are detailed views showing separate parts of the binder and cutter.

machines it is common practice to reinforce areas such as the high splice or the soleof stockings knitted therein; this reinforcing being accomplished by feeding an additional yarn to a segment of needles whileanother yarn or yarns are fed to all needles. This-additional yarn is desirably to be fed in such a way that it starts knitting'on the same needle and is Withdrawn at the same needle, or, is fed andwithdrawn at Furthermore, it is desirable to introduce-the yarn in. such a way and by such mechanism that the end of the yarn pulling from the binder will be as short as possible. Likewise-when withdrawn and cut, it is desirable to cut as close to the lastneedle knitting as is possible."- If this desired result is accomplished the resulting product will notice-characterized by long undesirable ends of the reinforcing yarn projecting to sucha degree as will necessitate has a base 2, a needle cylinder 3 carrying a sinker supporting ring generally indicated at 4. A yarn lever bracket 5 is mounted at the-base-and car ries the usual yarn change levers 6 which are connected by control wires 1 to cams on a drum 8 rotatable-with the main camshaft 9, a full description of these parts being found in Hemphill Patent 993,443. movable within the usual slots in the cylinder and take yard at a mouthpiece within a latch ring l l' of more-or less conventionalconstruction, Figs. l2 and 15. Theadditional or reinforcing yarnis to be fed adjacent the mouthpiece in this latch ring-and closeto the other yarn or yarns being fedfrom a yarn lever or levers 52-16 which are controlled by mechanism'previously referred to. The yarns fed through these levers I2l6 are retained and out in a main binder and cutter 1ocated-within the needle circle as is the common practice iii-Banner machines. The "reinforcing Incertain circular, independent needle knitting Latch needles ill, Fig. 15, are

yarn is fed by a yarn feeding finger which is swung more or less horizontally, although it has a deliberate component of movement vertically, which moves from a position external of the needle cylinder to a position where it would just about overlap the needle circle. The binder and cutter is of the external type in contrast to the main binder and cutter referred to, and when in active position, projects slightly over or within the circle of needles. These parts are located just behind the mouthpiece and main yarn feeding levers 12-46 when considered in the direction of rotation of the needles. Obviously, if the needle cylinder were stationary and the feeding means rotatable with respect thereto, the reverse would pp y.

Referring to Figs. 3, 5, 7 and others, a bracket I! has a base 18 by means of which it is adjustably attached to the base of the machine. This bracket terminates at the top in a fiat portion IS on which a supporting plate 20 is capable of being swung about a pivot 2!. The plate 20 is of a shape and extent sufficient to support both the feeding means and the binder and cutter. Its movement is restrained by a shoulder screw 22 which is engageable within a slot 23 in the plate. The plate is normally swung about the pivot 2| in a direction to move the entire assembly toward the circle of needles by a spring 24, Fig. 4. A bell crank lever having an upwardly projecting arm 25 is pivoted at 26 to the side of the bracket I! and connects at its other arm 27 through a link 28, connecting coupling 29, Figs. 1 and 2, a link 30 and a lever 3|, to be actuated by certain earns 32 and 33 on the drum 34 also fixed to the main cam shaft 9. The arm 25 of said first mentioned lever projects through an opening in the plate 2!], Fig. '7, and whenever lever 3i is moved by either of cams 32 or 33, will withdraw the plate and all attached parts away from the needle circle to a position such as illustrated in Fig. 12.

In both Figs. 7 and 12 there will be seen a stop consisting of a stop screw 25 threaded into a depending part of a plate 28' attached to the reinforcing yarn feeding means will be described 5 in detail. The plate 23 has a downwardly depending boss 35 in which is freely mounted a spindle 36 to the top of which is fixed a lever 31. This lever 3'1 carries a yarn feeding finger 38 having an eyelet 39 adjacent its end through which a yarn 40 is threaded. This finger is shaped at its feeding end in the form of a hook, the pointed end 4| of which serves as a latch opener when the yarn is to be fed to needles. This spindle 36 is oscillated in its bearing in the boss 35 and is also free to slide vertically therein, but tends to be maintained in downward position by a spring 42 between the lower end of the boss and the adjustable collar 43, Figs. 4 and 9. The free end of lever 37 has attached thereto a link 44 by means of which the yarn finger 38 is swung to and from a feeding position. As shown in Figs. 4, 8 and 9, a cam 45 having a bevelled end 46 serves to raise the finger 38 slightly when it is moved away from its feeding position. That is, as the link 44 is pulled outwardly drawing lever 31 and the yarn feeding finger to the position of Fig. 8, the finger 38 will ride up the bevelled end of this cam to be elevated to the position in Fig. 9 as contrasted with that of Fig. 4. Likewise when moved inwardly the spring 42 tending to draw the spindle 36 downwardly will maintain the yarn feeding finger 38 in its lowermost position.

The link 44, as clearly shown in Figs. 8 and 12, has an angular extension 41 attached at about its midpoint, this extension serving to limit movement of the link in either direction and thus to define the ultimate extents of travel of the yarn feeding finger itself. A bracket 48 attaches to the plate 20 and has two stop screws 49 and 53 threaded into bosses 5| and 52. Lock nuts maintain these stop screws in adjusted position and the extension 47 abuts against these screws as the mechanism is moved from one position to the opposite.

A bell crank lever having arms 53 and 54, Figs. 3, 4, 9 and 11, is pivoted at 55 in a bracket 58 attached to the side of the bracket H. The arm 53 is engaged by a suitable connection to the link 44, that connection working in a slot 51 in the link. The connection herein shown as a sort of shoulder stud 58 has a hook 59 attached to it and to which is connected a spring 60. The spring 60 also connects to the extension 41. When lever 53 is swung outwardly by mechanism presently to be described, it will impart movement to the link through said spring which is under suiiicient tension to draw the link and functioning parts attached thereto to the position of Fig. 8 while the shoulder stud 58 is in the forward part of the slot 51 as shown in Fig. 8. During splicing the movement imparted to the bell crank does not extend the spring beyond that point, or at least, the movement is not necessarily greater. For other purposes to be described the bell crank is given a greater movement at which time spring 60 is extended and the stud 58 moves toward the other end of slot 57.

For imparting the periodic feeding and withdrawing movements to the finger 38, a cam 61 mounted on main shaft 82 functions upon a follower 83 on an arm 64 fixed to a short shaft 65 and is rotatable in a bearing in bracket or lug 83 connected to the under side of the base 2, Figs. 1 and 3, the arm 64 being part of a long sleeve 31 which also carries at the end opposite the lug 63, a second arm 68. This arm 68 connects by means of an adjustable, two piece link 58 to the free end of the lever 54. As the main shaft 82 rotates once for every revolution of the needle cylinder, the cam 61 will impart movements resulting in swinging lever 38 to feeding position and withdrawing it from that position once every revolution of said cylinder. According to the extent of the cam 81 the time within which lever 38 is out of feeding position will be varied, that is, the extent of reinforcing is controlled by the extent of cam 8 I.

The cams 10 and H on drum 8 serve to Withdraw this yarn feeding finger 38 from feeding position permanently, and, by mechanism to be described, stop the periodic operation of the binder and cutter. A lever 12 contacts said cams 7B and H and connects by'a wire 73 to the same point of connection at the end of lever 54 to which the link 69 is attached. Whenever cams l0 or H are in position to engage lever 12 and withdraw the finger 38 they pull the bell crank lever having arms 53 and 54 to the position shown in Fig. 9.

That is, the spring 60: is extended. and the coir-J nection 58 :is inthe outer end of'slot i'l Tne opp'o'sitef-extreme movement of :the levers 53and 54 is governed by a; stop screw liwhich bearsupona lug'lii on the lever 68; Fig; 3. This I stop screw is heldv in :adjusted position :by lock nut 16; '1

Now referring to Figs; 4,- 5, 6, 7 and. 8-12 mechanism: for actuating the binder andcutter a will berdescribed. 'The plate .ZB-carries a secondboss Tl similar to the boss 35 in which is mounted for rotation and vertical slidingv movementa r short spindle I8. This spindle carries at its upper end an arm'or leverIQ having -a slot80 in which engages a pin 8I by means of which the movable parts'of' the binder and cutter are* caused to function. The said lever .IB'hasLan J opening throughfwhich the yarn' fl is threaded. At .thetlower end of said spindlefl8 'is fixedan element having a hub portionr82'; an arni 83 and an angularly extending partial fiangerior fin 84. The hub SZis fixed to the spindle by. set screw 85. In the arm 83 is threaded a screw 86' having a hardened rounded head 81. This screw is adjustable to position said rounded head and is capable of being locked in any adjustedposition.'

The sinker ring 4 carries at its'lower part a cam I 88, especially shown in Figs. 5 and v6, which is positioned to contact the rounded-head 81 and thereby to oscillate the spindle l8thus imparting the necessary movement to the arm- 19. Normally the spindle l8 and its attached parts are held in a raised position by a spring 89. In

that position'the cam 88 and the roundedscrew head Bl are in alignment and make contact.

Whenever the operation of the binder and cutter: are to be discontinuedthe said spindle I8 and attached parts are dropped to a lower position shown in Figs; 9 and 10 in which the screw head 87 is beneath the cam 88 and also beneath theedge of the sinker ring 4. -This movement to I lower position occurs whenever cams Ill and II function to draw the bell crank lever 54- to the position illustrated in Fig.9. Whenever wire 13 is pulled downwardly as the cams 1B and II raise the forward 'end' of lever :2, the extent of move-- ment' is greater than that imparted by cam tl. Fig. ,3, and will bring the lever -53 against a stop screw 90 in a laterallyextendingprojection SI ofan arnrd? pivoted uponthe short pivot' 55", 'Figs. i, 9,andll. A second angular-typeof lever has a horizontal arm 93. pivoted at 84' and a 'sub stantially vertically arranged armz95 projecting downwardly side of the previously mentioned lever 92; A short pin or stud 96 projects from said lever 92- and engages in front of the adjacent arm 95; Whenlever 53 moves outwardly to a position of Fig. 9 it engages the-stop screw 91 swings lever 92 until the pin 96 contacts the short depending arm 95 thus drawing down the-longhorizontal arm 93, the end of which engages the fin-8 l, -Figs. 6, 9 andlOV This movement brings the spindle l3 and attached-parts down to-the position of Figs. 9 andlO so that the operating means for the binder and cutter no longer function. A spring 9! attaches to a fixed part of the 1 bracket and also to the endof lever M sc-that thismechanism is maintained in the position" of Fig.4 except;at such times ascams' GI; -1t"or1| are functioning toimpart movements in the opposite direction.

Referring to the: figures previously describedand to Figs. 16-26, the binder and cut'ter will be described in detail. These Figs.--16'*26" show the cutter in section, assembled, andliseparatepieces in which the-movable parts slide designated by numeral 98 and shown in three different views, This support has slots 99 by meanscof which it is attached to the plate These slots provide for a certain amount of adlustment.

above and beneath a thin diaphragm Hit. The

diaphragm has a slot ml the purpose of which will ,be described in due course. grooved horizontally at I02 and in this groove Hi2 The support is also is positioned one of the fixed binding and cutting elements I03. This piece also has a slot me which serves as an extension of the slot It I. The end is hooked as shown at I and serves to catch the yarn as it is withdrawn and as a cutting and binding edge. Another fixed piece I; Fig. 26,

attaches by screws or other suitable connections to the top of the supporting piece, the attaching means also serving tohold the element I63 in proper position. A thin, hook-lile element Ifl'l, Figs-8, '16 andl'l, attaches to the offset extension I88 of the base 186. The hook IE3? is made-of spring material. and presses against the lower and heavier hook-like .ielement' I I 1 The movable parts include a slider E39, a cutter IIll, spring III anda stop H2: Theslider I69 ts above-the diaphragm [Bil and has projecting therefrom "a pin 8|, previously referredto as the projection through which movements are im-' parted from the arm 79 to the cutter and binder. Thesp-ring 'I i I is slightly curved as shown in Fig. 16 and functions beneath the diaphragm I Ml; these elements we and"! I i-having the stop I I2'clamped between them by bolt-H3. The stop .iIZ is'of about-the same thickness as the diaphragmiilfi and properly spaces elements for a slidingfit.

Thecutterd Illslides on the bottom hook IUS lfi5 and=formsa sort of extension of" the slider I09 as it abuts against-a shoulder at the forward end of the slider.

which guides the yarns as they-are being cut and bound.-

The stud- I lSis riveted to the sprin is attachedto the plate 23 and is actuated lay-cam- 88 and mechanism heretofore described. The

cam 88is arranged and timed to open the binder and cutter before yarn lever diiis withdrawn from I feeding position.= As itis withdrawn; the yarn moves away from a feeding position-and outward tangentially so that it is taken within the binder being guided between the hooks I85, It? and the cutter blade I I4, at which time the head 3? of the screw 86 drops; from the cam 88 whereupon a a spring H9, Fig. 12, quickly closes the cutter severing the yarn and binding it as shown in saidFigsm 8 and12;

Now referring to Fig. 13, the latch ring is cut out as illustrated to allow the yarn feeding finger 38 to be swung inwardly to a point adjacent the needle circle; This cut out also allowsfor other parts suchas the'iworking elements which cause this finger 38 to'be'swung .to and from feeding position. The inner'end' of the yarn binder and thereof. The cutter is composed of fixed and" movableparts, the' fixed parts including a support The support is groovedalong its length The cutter edge-I is is sharp enedand extends forwardly'in a short hook I15 IE1 and projects upwardly .through the slot" iot -I04, 1 through .openings. in the cutterand slider and hese pieces assembled and cutter is also moved beneath this latch ringv when it is in an active position. In Fig. both the binder and the end of the yarn feeding finger are :shown in about the position they occupy as yarn is being fed or as it is being cut and bound at each revolution of the machine. The path of needle butts is shown in Fig. 14, the usual raise cam I preceding the front stitch cam I26, top center cam I22, guard cam I23 and rear stitch cam I24. The needle butts travel in a pathway I25 clearing latches above cam I2 I, then passing down beneath cams I22 and I24 to knit. In order to allow for projecting the binder and cutter inwardly to a position adjacent the needle circle and just above passing needle hooks, the other part of the raise cam designated at I26 has a cut out portion I2! so that needle butts are raised slightly after knitting beneath the cam I24, but do not rise to the full elevation governed by the raise cams until these needles have passed the binder and cutter.

Operation While there are certain variations, the preferred use of a binder and cutter and the accompanying yarn feeding mechanism is that of introducing a yarn such as a reinforcing or splicing yarn once during every revolution and withdrawing it once every revolution. Along with this feeding and withdrawing of the yarn it is cut and bound as close as possible to the last needle knitting, the general construction being such that the end introduced to the needles from the binder will be as short as practicable. Usually such splicing occurs at some particular part or parts of a knitted article. For example, in hosiery it is common practice to splice above the heel and in the sole throughout the continuing part of the foot from the heel to the toe. Cams 32 and 33, Figs. 1 and 2, serve to maintain the plate 20 and all attached mechanism in a completely ineffective or inactive position except when splicing is to be done. When the toe of lever 3| drops from these cams into the space indicated at I28 and.

I29, the plate 20 will be allowed to be moved intoward the needle circle and all the attendant parts will be in a position where they may function properly in feeding the yarn and cutting and binding the same. The space I28 would correspond to that part of the stocking in which a highsplice was being knitted while the later space I29 controls during splicing in the sole.

Cams I0 and 'II, Figs. 1 and 2, maintain the yarn feeding lever 38 completely withdrawn from action except when it is desired to splice. the toe of lever I2 drops into spaces I or I3I, the said yarn finger will be released in the high splice and in the sole respectively. This means that cam 6|, Fig. 3, will function through mechanism described in connection therewith to withdraw the splicing yarn and to project it to feeding position once during each revolution. As before stated, the extent of cam GI determines the length of time during which finger 3B feeds its yarn. In :more detail, the high part of cam 6| controls the .amount of time in which the said splicing yarn is withdrawn while the period at which it feeds .is governed by the arc of the cam during which follower BI is bearing upon the low part of the cam or not raised by the first mentioned portion thereof.

Co-incidental with the dropping of lever 12, the spindle I8 is allowed to rise to the position of Fig.

5 wherein cam 88 will be effectual to work the binder and cutter periodically as the yarn is When moved to and from feeding position. Obviously precise timing of these parts is necessary so that just as the finger 38 is moved outwardly the binder will be opened whereby the yarn may be taken in the hook and thereafter out immediately so that the end will be as short as possible. While this requires nicety of timing and in ar rangement of cams, once this adjustment is obtained, the feeding and withdrawing occurs periodically each course and the out ends left in the finished product will be short enough so that they do not knit in nor will it be necessary to cut the ends in the finished product.

The disclosure has been made with respect to one embodiment of the invention and that has been described more or less specifically. Certain changes will be evident and are contemplated as falling within the scope of the invention as originally conceived. What is new is embraced in the following claims.

It is claimed:

1. In a knitting machine the combination of yarn feeding means and a binder and cutter, means for periodically actuating said yarn feeding means and other means for operating the binder and cutter, said means for actuating the yarn feeding means also being movable selectively throughout a range greater than that normally required for periodic movement of the feeding means to cause the binder and cutter operating means to become ineffective.

2. In a knittting machine the combination of yarn feeding means, a binder and cutter, movable means operable periodically to move said feeding means to and from a feeding position, other means operable in conjunction with the first mentioned means but independently to impart periodic movements to the binder and cutter, the construction being such that said yarn feed actuating means is movable to an extent greater than that for normally actuating the feeding means for affecting the binder and cutter actuating means whereby the latter will cease to function.

3. In a knitting fachine yarn feeding means, a binder and cutter, cam means operable to impart periodic movements to the feeding means and separate cam means for imparting similar movements to the binder and cutter, other cam means for affecting said yarn feed actuating means to withdraw the same to a completely inactive position and interconnecting linkage between the yarn feed actuating means and the binder and cutter actuating means movable to withdraw the latter from a position in which it will be aifected by the separate cam means normally imparting periodic binding and cutting movements thereto.

4. In a knitting machine the combination of yarn feeding means, a binder and cutter, a movable support for both the yarn feeding means and the binder and cutter whereby the same are movable to and from operative position with respect to knitting instrumentalities, a latch ring beneath which said feeding means and the binder and cutter are to be actuated, said latch ring being recessed at appropriate positions for the said feeding and binding and cutting means.

5. A binder and cutter for knitting machines including a cutting and binding element, a spring, fixed hook-like elements against which said cutting and binding element operates and means for sliding said cutting element and spring with respect to the fixed elements so as to open and close a space between the cutting element and fixed hook-like elements.

6. In a knitting machine knitting instrumentalities, yarn feeding means, a binder and cutter and means for imparting periodic movements to the yarn feeding means effective to cause it to move to yarn feeding position and withdraw it from that position once during each course of knitting, other means operable independently of the means for operatively moving the feeding means to and from feeding position for causing the binder and cutter to function once during each course of knitting, said means for imparting movements to the feeding means being further and cutter operatively positioned upon said independently movable plate and means for moving said plate to withdraw it and the binder and cutter from active position with respect to a group of knitting instrumentalities.

8. In a knitting machine the combination of knitting, instrumentalities, a binder and cutter, means for feeding yarn to the instrumentalities operable to feed its yarn and to withdraw the same periodically, alatch ring, a supporting bracket outside the latch ring and an independently movable plate carried by said bracket and so constructed as to support the binder and cutter and feeding means, and means for moving said supporting plate toward and away from the instrumentalities whereby the binder and cutter and periodically movable feeding means are removed from operative relationship with the instrumentalities.

ROBERT H. LAWSON. AUGUSTIN GAGNE. 

